Ellen Burstyn received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement on Monday at the Venice International Film Festival, adding one of world cinema’s most prominent honors to a career spanning more than six decades.
The festival’s board selected Burstyn on the recommendation of artistic director Alberto Barbera, according to La Biennale di Venezia. The ceremony was held at the Palazzo del Cinema during the 83rd Venice festival, which runs from September 2 through September 12.
Maggie Gyllenhaal presented the award, People reported.
“It’s my feeling that if you’re an artist of any kind, whether it’s an actor or a musician or a painter, that path is going to make your life meaningful to you, and following that path is your destiny,” Burstyn told People prior to the festival. “I always tell young actors, my secret to a meaningful and happy life is to find a way to earn a living in something that should be happy to do for free.”
A Career Across Film, Television and Theater
Burstyn won the Academy Award for best actress in 1975 for her performance in Martin Scorsese’s “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.” That same year, she won a Tony Award for “Same Time, Next Year,” becoming the third woman to win an Oscar and Tony in the same year, according to the festival.
She later completed acting’s so-called Triple Crown with an Emmy for a guest appearance on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” in 2009. She received a second Emmy in 2013 for “Political Animals.”
Her other prominent film credits include “The Last Picture Show,” “The Exorcist,” “Requiem for a Dream” and “Interstellar.” Barbera cited the range and complexity of the women Burstyn has portrayed and noted that she has appeared in roughly 150 films.
Burstyn also serves as a co-president of the Actors Studio alongside Al Pacino and Alec Baldwin.
Award Accompanied by New Marilyn Monroe Film
The ceremony coincided with the world premiere of “Flesh Impact,” a 17-minute short film written and directed by Gyllenhaal for the centenary of Marilyn Monroe’s birth.
Dakota Johnson portrays Monroe at the height of her fame, while Burstyn plays an imagined version of Monroe at 100. Peter Sarsgaard and Sepideh Moafi also appear in the film.
The title comes from a phrase used to describe Monroe’s screen presence: She appeared so real and luminous that viewers felt they could reach through the screen and touch her, according to the festival.
The role adds a present-day performance to a ceremony celebrating Burstyn’s past work. She also appears with Taika Waititi in “Place to Be,” directed by Kornél Mundruczó and included in this year’s Venice program.
Venice’s Highest Career Honor
The Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement recognizes an artist’s overall contribution to cinema. It is separate from the Golden Lion awarded to the best film in the festival’s main competition.
Ellen Burstyn tears up as she received a Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at #VeniceFilmFestival. https://t.co/N7RRurvFjd pic.twitter.com/RxxxmO4qfu
— Variety (@Variety) September 7, 2026
Burstyn’s performance in “Requiem for a Dream” earned her a sixth Academy Award nomination. Her later appearances in films including “Interstellar” and “The Exorcist: Believer” introduced her work to new generations of moviegoers.
At 93, she remains professionally active, making the Venice honor more than a retrospective recognition. It arrived alongside two new film appearances and ahead of a public discussion about her craft.
Burstyn is scheduled to participate in a festival masterclass Tuesday at 4 p.m. local time in Venice — 9 a.m. Central time. La Biennale said the September 8 session will be livestreamed on the festival’s website.
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